Simeon at the Temple

Luke 2:22-39

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called the Gospel of Luke. Luke loved Jesus and wanted others to know and love Jesus, too. And the word gospel means “good news!”

Our true story is about something called patience. Patience is choosing a happy heart when you’re waiting for something.


Have you ever had to wait a long time for something? Maybe you’ve had to wait to open a present at Christmas or you’ve had to wait to eat. Or have you waited a long time to ride a fun ride? If you’ve ever had to wait for something, today’s story is for you. It’s a true story from the Bible. It’s about a man named Simeon. Simeon loved God, and he knew that God was sending someone very special. 


God told Simeon that he would get to see this very special person. But Simeon didn’t know WHEN this very special person would come. He had to be patient and wait . . . And wait . . .


And wait, and wait, and wait . . . and wait! Simeon chose to be patient. He didn’t whine and say, “This is taking too long,” or “When will it be over.” Instead, Simeon chose to be patient and wait with a happy heart.


Then one day, just like God said, Mary and Joseph brought Baby Jesus to the temple. Jesus was the very special person Simeon was waiting to see!


Wow, God’s Son, Jesus, was finally here! Jesus had come to be our friend forever. And when Jesus is your friend forever, He helps you choose to be patient too. 


Like when you want to tell your mom something, but she’s on the phone. Jesus can help you choose to be patient and wait with a smile. 


When there’s a long line at the bouncy house and you have to wait your turn, Jesus can help you choose to be patient and make a new friend in line. 


When you have a long car ride and you’re ready to get out of the car, Jesus can help you choose to be patient and sing a song. 


Jesus can help you choose patience because Jesus can help you do everything!






Bible Verse: I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:13, NLT

Text Truth: Jesus can help me choose patience.


Family Devotional

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
—Luke 2:25-26

In our Bible story, a man named Simeon had to wait for something a very long time. What was Simeon waiting for? Simeon was waiting to see Jesus! What did Simeon choose that helped him wait with a happy heart? Simeon chose patience. 

And guess what! Jesus can help us choose patience, too, because Jesus can help us do everything!

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:13, NLT

With your family, make a list of things that are hard to wait for like your birthday or Christmas or dinner. Remember to right each family member’s name by their "thing."

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, waiting can be so hard sometimes. We want to choose patience and wait with a happy heart like Simeon did. Please help [family member’s name] wait for [what family member listed] with a happy heart. (Continue with each family member.) Waiting on Your plan will always be best. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license.
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